Snow Socks Colorado, More Severe Weather Expected in Mid-Section of Country

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April 17, 2016, 2:22 AM GMT / Updated April 17, 2016, 9:48 AM GMT

By Elisha Fieldstadt

The Denver area was socked with snow Saturday, causing hundreds of flights to be scrubbed and snuffing the city's pro-pot "420 Rally," while states to the east face threats from downpours and possible tornadoes, forecasters said.

Just under a foot of snow fell at Denver International Airport by midnight Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. More than 850 flights into and out of the airport scheduled for Saturday were canceled, the airport said, but airlines were expected to resume flights Sunday.

Nearly 2 feet of snow had already fallen in the mountains of Colorado by Saturday afternoon, according to Weather.com. Roads in higher elevations were closed, according to the state's department of transportation.

Denver's annual "420 Rally," which celebrates and advocates legal marijuana was postponed after the park it was set to be held in was closed due to the wet weather Saturday, according to organizers.

Snowfalls ranging from 4 inches to two feet was recorded in Boulder, northwest of Denver. Twenty-three inches was measured by 10 p.m. Saturday in Bailey, a small mountain community southwest of Denver, the National Weather Service reported.

The spring snow could continue to fall through Monday in Colorado as well as in high elevations in the Plains, according to the National Weather Service.

Meanwhile, residents in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska were warned of flash flooding as areas in those states could see a month's worth of rain in the next four to five days, according to Weather.com. Hail the size of golf balls were reported near Clarendon, Texas. Flash flood watches were in effect for large portions of all four states Saturday night, according to the NWS.

The Plains were also dealing with the potential of large hail and tornadoes, which could continue from Saturday night through Monday, according to Weather.com.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas State Operations Center was on high alert and urged residents to ready for rising waters, gusting winds and large hail.